Van Jones had a vital dialogue with a Trump supporting family. We must have this conversation going forward. Please watch it. Please make sure your Democratic, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian, and other friends see this article on all of your social media platforms.
Van Jones engages Trump supporting family
Van Jones went to Gettysburg, PA and spoke to a Trump supporting family that may upset some but it is something that must happen after the 2016 election. The family was welcoming to Jones but the conversation at times got necessarily contentious.
Van Jones started the conversation showing the legitimate concern that our differences could escalate to a civil war. One of the men said he believed it could happen if Clinton wins.
Jones pushed back by asking what were the reasons why these Trump supporters were so negative towards Hillary Clinton. They spewed off the normal Right Wing Fox News-style talking points about Clinton’s emails and her dishonesty. Missing was any concrete reason that materially affected them. At the same time when Jones pointed out the depravity of Donald Trump’s utterances and ill-behavior, they were predisposed to give him a pass claiming he was merely crude or inartful.
Van Jones did a lot of listening. In doing so, he was able to see one of the Trump supporters directly connect regulations, not as some abstract rhetoric, to his economic distress. These realities are usually overamplified by the Right Wing to falsely promise better outcomes for their followers even though they never deliver. Something different does not mean something better or a solution.
Van Jones brought up the belief that many of the Trump voters are anti-immigrant, anti-women, anti-Muslim, and racists. The family pushed back though Jones attempted to give them a lesson in empathy for the other.
Ultimately Jones’ visit was well received. Moreover, I am sure he gave the family much to think about going forward. I am also sure Jones learned from the family as well.
This dialogue proved that people want their voices heard. If we give people respect, more so than not, agreeing or disagreeing, a substantive dialogue can occur, and minds can change as they coalesce to a better idea.
“You have opened up a lot of things here,” one of the family members said. “Even though they are at that end and you are at that end, you’ve been able to show this family in their home the respect they deserve.”
Isn’t that what we all want?
To be clear, I have many Trump supporting friends and even a very tiny portion of my family who are all Trump supporters. Most are not bad people just like all of Clinton’s supporters are not the greatest people. People on all sides tend to use tunnel vision to discount the negative stuff about their preferred candidate. Tunnel vision on Trump in this election is detrimental to this country because those disregarded truths about him is a clear and present danger.
It is likely that Hillary Clinton will be the president-elect of the United States on Tuesday. It is imperative that no one gloats about it.
If we want lasting change, we must realize that we are in the same boat. We must understand how the plutocracy is using us. It is not Democrats against Republicans. It is about Democrats and Republicans coming together and ensuring we make government, we the people, work for us all. It is about compromises. We must stop being the puppets, the widgets, the commodities of the plutocracy.
All of us can be a part of the solution. Join organizations like Coffee Party USA where your voice can be amplified, and you can build real and virtual communities to dialogue and build a better country.
Please share this article and also, visit Van Jones’ page and like the full video. Let’s make it go viral.